Plague Journal

[Piscator]

Yesterday one of the nurses at my facility died from complications of Covid-19. She was 32 and had no underlying conditions. She took care of her elderly parents, both of whom contracted the virus from her. They are alive and, though devasted by their child's death, recovering from the virus.

What a strange, inexplicable time this is. I have pretty advanced COPD and I sailed through being ill. I'm glad to be here, but heartbroken that this sweet young woman is gone. She was a lovely person, professional and efficient, gentle and quick to smile and laugh.

This facility I'm in is a good place. It's not the newest or the wealthiest, but I've never seen a kinder, more supportive staff. We are all hurting today.

RIP Miss K. I hope you're dancing somewhere now.

https://youtu.be/YxgZuE14he8

What a devastating narrative, there's no way to account for random events.

Stay well

 

[UnderYourSpell]

I am so sorry for your loss and her family's, seems there is no rhyme or reason for who this bastard takes

 

[champagne1982]

Love In The Time Of Covid-19

This distance we share, in part by choice,
more by circumstance, has made love
stronger in ways that constant contact
never could. Imagine the pain of young
emotion when their love stands
just outside their touch, when
defiance leads to a kiss of fingertips
and a press of these extremes together,
just to know the warmth of adoration
and longing surging through their senses.

I know the tears shed in empathy of touch
denied, of the pain of a barrier between
the living and the dying, between vigor
and decline and the folly of wishing
you could embrace, "One last time."
Now every conversation ends with words
of love and patience. They're aged
and frail and in step with passing away,
as we all mark time, rest in place,
in prayer that this can't mean the end.

Where is the reward for obedient
compliance? Like victims of abuse
we are isolated, we are locked in,
chastised for living life rather
than merely existing. Do the powerful
understand fear? We shiver in uncertainty
as our blitheful wanderings are brutally
slapped into awareness by the realities
of illness, the caregivers' exhausted
faces plastered everywhere we look.

The silence of bus terminals,
train stations, airports, of all
that means industry smothers us
with an efficiency more virulent
and painful than this sickness.
To love now, in this time of Covid,
means to love from miles apart
and trust that we are loved from away
as much as we are denied the touch
of a love seated two yards away.

I posted this in the Let's Hear It thread and somehow this seems right to share it here. The first verse is inspired by my daughter and her fiance. They have been living in different towns from each other since last year. I slipped and fell in early March and my girl travelled from Yellowknife to help care for my elderly mother and my crippled self. We managed to keep distant and practice all of the good things.

The kids grabbed visits when they could but the hardest visit was when she was on her way back to Yellowknife. The Northwest Territory has slammed and locked it's borders for the summer. She has only been living there since February and had no gov't issued ID so the concerns were wild until about 2 days before she left. Then the tough part hit. Her fiance had been in unwitting contact with a CoVid-19 sufferer who tested positive the day before my daughter was due to make a flying in-transit stop. She didn't tell me how that visit went but when I shared this poem with her, she told me I nailed it. I reminded her that I am and have been in love. I know.

The second verse was sadly inspired by my sister-in-law's mother's CoVid-19 death while in a nursing home. Her mother had Alzeiheimer's Disease and was declining rapidly as it was. She contracted this horrible disease and while my sister could be there for her mother, she couldn't touch skin to skin, nor kiss her farewell or even do more than smile with her eyes over her mask and behind a shield and caress her mother's cheek with gloved fingers. It's tragic, and sad, and I wonder if it wouldn't be best to simply get out there and say "fuck it to hell" and dance naked. Then common sense hits and I know I wouldn't be caught dead dancing without a bra!

The third verse is me being angry, and finally the fourth is me facing the sad realities all of this brings in to play. I am so relieved to hear from you all. As separate and far apart as we are, our love and respect for each other transcends those limits and I want you to know that my poetry family is near and dear to my heart.

 

[Angeline]

We've been very short-staffed at my facility. Many of the staff have been ill with the virus. Others have small children and took a leave of absence because they didn't want to expose them to the virus and/or their day care centers had to close. Can any of you remember what it was like when life was "normal" and we could just live without the threat of catastrophic illness? It's getting hard for me: now what I remember of those freedoms seems more like a movie than real life.

Today we had a great and happy surprise. Volunteers arrived, nurses who came all the way from Maine (!) to help out here in hard hit Jersey. They'll be here for a few weeks to give our very overworked staff a hand. Some of you know I used to live in Maine, so it's a delight for me to talk with folks who come from a place where I spent some very happy years. And their presence is a reminder that my life is not just about surviving this awful time. I can feel good remembering that some people just want to do good with no tangible reward; some people just want to help.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

I'll have to let my challenge go by the by for now. My husband had a fall and was rushed into hospital where they found other complications to his health with a high temperature (he hadn't been well the day before). He has been tested for the virus but it's unlikely to be that, just a precautionary measure it would seem, but he's still in there and I'm afraid i have other things on my mind as he was my primary carer. I'm doing quite well on my own considering and looking after the dogs too. I was offered Social care but refused it as I didn't want them to put me into respite care, I wouldn't be able to get on here for one thing! The NHS is a prude!!
So please bear with me as I look after number one. I'm still around if you need any help on the forum so don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Piscator]

Hang in there Annie, I hope your husband recovers soon and an sure he will as you keep on keepin on and Lookin out for Number 1

 

[champagne1982]

Oh Annie! I'm so sorry Ron is not well and is hospitalized. Being there is just as bad, if not worse than him being at home as far as this virus goes. My prayers are tuned to asking that you rest and are comfortable taking care of yourself and the dogs, and that you and hubby can be back in the same household again very soon, with both of you on the mend. Love and kisses from the windy west....

 

[butters]

I'll have to let my challenge go by the by for now. My husband had a fall and was rushed into hospital where they found other complications to his health with a high temperature (he hadn't been well the day before). He has been tested for the virus but it's unlikely to be that, just a precautionary measure it would seem, but he's still in there and I'm afraid i have other things on my mind as he was my primary carer. I'm doing quite well on my own considering and looking after the dogs too. I was offered Social care but refused it as I didn't want them to put me into respite care, I wouldn't be able to get on here for one thing! The NHS is a prude!!
So please bear with me as I look after number one. I'm still around if you need any help on the forum so don't hesitate to ask.

so sorry to hear about your hubby, annie. hope he recovers swiftly and you get any help you need.

 

[butters]

We've been very short-staffed at my facility. Many of the staff have been ill with the virus. Others have small children and took a leave of absence because they didn't want to expose them to the virus and/or their day care centers had to close. Can any of you remember what it was like when life was "normal" and we could just live without the threat of catastrophic illness? It's getting hard for me: now what I remember of those freedoms seems more like a movie than real life.

Today we had a great and happy surprise. Volunteers arrived, nurses who came all the way from Maine (!) to help out here in hard hit Jersey. They'll be here for a few weeks to give our very overworked staff a hand. Some of you know I used to live in Maine, so it's a delight for me to talk with folks who come from a place where I spent some very happy years. And their presence is a reminder that my life is not just about surviving this awful time. I can feel good remembering that some people just want to do good with no tangible reward; some people just want to help.

thinking of you each day, hoping this passes as soon as possible for you. it's good to hear you got to connect with some 'home' voices. spirits need lifting as much as flesh needs protecting.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

Hang in there Annie, I hope your husband recovers soon and an sure he will as you keep on keepin on and Lookin out for Number 1

Oh Annie! I'm so sorry Ron is not well and is hospitalized. Being there is just as bad, if not worse than him being at home as far as this virus goes. My prayers are tuned to asking that you rest and are comfortable taking care of yourself and the dogs, and that you and hubby can be back in the same household again very soon, with both of you on the mend. Love and kisses from the windy west....

so sorry to hear about your hubby, annie. hope he recovers swiftly and you get any help you need.

Thank you, he's home now but things are far from perfect with us both poorly. Just got to do the best we can. In the mornings we have all sorts of nurses and carers here, although the carers are only for 6 weeks but I'm glad they can help him do things that I can't. My pain relief has been upped so hopefully I'll be more comfortable, although they do have a tendency to knock me out altogether and I've missed the end of another TV programme!!

 

[todski28]

Thank you, he's home now but things are far from perfect with us both poorly. Just got to do the best we can. In the mornings we have all sorts of nurses and carers here, although the carers are only for 6 weeks but I'm glad they can help him do things that I can't. My pain relief has been upped so hopefully I'll be more comfortable, although they do have a tendency to knock me out altogether and I've missed the end of another TV programme!!

Stay safe Annie; you’ve taught me a lot about writing, and although I’m not here so much, and when I am I’m drive by poeming, I still miss the days when we could do a teachin, or you would set up a challenge etc.

I wish you guys a speedy recovery.

 

[Piscator]

Thank you, he's home now but things are far from perfect with us both poorly. Just got to do the best we can. In the mornings we have all sorts of nurses and carers here, although the carers are only for 6 weeks but I'm glad they can help him do things that I can't. My pain relief has been upped so hopefully I'll be more comfortable, although they do have a tendency to knock me out altogether and I've missed the end of another TV programme!!

Good to know you both are on the road to reovery. Slow and steady as she goes.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

I've fallen again!! Yeah I know, do I never learn?! The Paramedics had to be called to get me up and I was damned lucky not to bust another hip. I'm bashed and bruised and hurting in places I didn't know I had, but intact. I can however say it's a Bedroom injury!! Well sort of, I was in the bedroom, but Bedroom Injury sounds so much more sexy lol. Ouchies to type though!

 

[Piscator]

Sorry to hear about your fall, glad your hip is intact. Take it easy and get well.

 

[butters]

I've fallen again!! Yeah I know, do I never learn?! The Paramedics had to be called to get me up and I was damned lucky not to bust another hip. I'm bashed and bruised and hurting in places I didn't know I had, but intact. I can however say it's a Bedroom injury!! Well sort of, I was in the bedroom, but Bedroom Injury sounds so much more sexy lol. Ouchies to type though!

can't leave you alone for a minute, can we, annie? good lord, woman, quit beating up the floor and yourself. and i'm really glad you didn't break your hip

 

[butters]

Angie, Annie, check-in time again. We want to know you're doing okay

 

[Angeline]

Angie, Annie, check-in time again. We want to know you're doing okay

Hi love. I'm ok. I was in the hospital again with a COPD flare but I'm better now. I'm still here checking for spam and such daily, just not feeling too energetic right now.

I know I owe a few poets messages. Forgive my tardiness: I hope to have my groove back soon!

And I believe our Annie is ok as I see her posting elsewhere most days.

Love you poets & thanks for asking, dear Miz B.

 

[Piscator]

Thanks for the update Angie. It's good to have you back after your 'minor' setback.

 

[butters]

Hi love. I'm ok. I was in the hospital again with a COPD flare but I'm better now. I'm still here checking for spam and such daily, just not feeling too energetic right now.

I know I owe a few poets messages. Forgive my tardiness: I hope to have my groove back soon!

And I believe our Annie is ok as I see her posting elsewhere most days.

Love you poets & thanks for asking, dear Miz B.

was worried about you given the cases in your residency. strength and courage, mon ami

 

[UnderYourSpell]

Angie, Annie, check-in time again. We want to know you're doing okay

Sorry, yes I'm ok although where I belted myself when I fell is taking it's time in healing. I thought it was almost mended but it's been hurting a lot again the last few days, so I must have moved wrong or something. C'est la vie ...... I'll get there eventually!

 

[29wordsforsnow]

Sorry, yes I'm ok although where I belted myself when I fell is taking it's time in healing. I thought it was almost mended but it's been hurting a lot again the last few days, so I must have moved wrong or something. C'est la vie ...... I'll get there eventually!

Nice to see you back and being quite busy too.
All the best, and be well again soon.

 

[Piscator]

Stampede Fireworks

https://thumbs-prod.si-cdn.com/9CU6Xj-Omv42S5XtIfy924DGi5I=/fit-in/1600x0/https://public-media.si-cdn.com/filer/53/ba/53bae430-8299-421c-ab94-1425e57ee16d/istock_65177049_medium.jpg

The usual Stampede fireworks,
without the usual Stampede.

I read that and felt a pang of nostalgia as
I grew up in Calgary and can’t imagine a
July without the Stampede, although
as a mildly agoraphobic personality,
even though I’m not sure can one have
a mild case of “having an extreme fear
of entering open or crowded places.”
Anyway, I must admit that at a certain
age the midway magnet drew me in
and I’d inset my allowance coins
into the digger machine’s slot and
carefully manoeuvre the shovel
only to loose the prize at the last
second and so on to the rides, my
favourite was the Graviton but
that was well before all those
accidents and multi-party lawsuits.
To be honest I wasn’t all that
interested in the calf roping, bronco
and bull riding or chuckwagon races.
In my teens, we went for the concerts,
I remember seeing Valdy there and
later that week we went to see him in a
small downtown bar, where he may have
had even more to drink that we did.

While here in South Western Ontario, where
the nearest Chuckwagon is a small diner
in Woodstock, which seems to have good
reviews, although with covid-19 regulations,
it’s take out only, but again I digress.
Anyhow, the Township canceled the
fireworks display here too, which made
the dogs happy, as they don’t like loud
noises and the community centre is just
across the street, though it’s cool to watch
them from our second story bedroom while
making love but then K was away that
night anyway.


I’m still waiting for my test results, which
I’m pretty sure is just seasonal allergies as
I usually have a bit of a runny nose this time
of year and K is a bit pissed because our son
was going to come over for the weekend.
But is not a biggie because he’s
good for next weekend too.
I just hope that I am.​

 

[todski28]

The usual Stampede fireworks,
without the usual Stampede.

I read that and felt a pang of nostalgia as
I grew up in Calgary and can’t imagine a
July without the Stampede, although
as a mildly agoraphobic personality,
even though I’m not sure can one have
a mild case of “having an extreme fear
of entering open or crowded places”
Anyway, I must admit that at a certain
age the midway magnet drew me in
and I’d inset my allowance coin
into the digger machine’s slot and
carefully manoeuvre the shovel
only to loose the prize at the last
second and so on to the rides, my
favourite was the Graviton but
that was well before all those
accidents and multi-party lawsuits.
To be honest I wasn’t all that
interested in the calf roping, bronco
and bull riding or chuckwagon races.
In my teens, we went for the concerts,
I remember seeing Valdy there and
later that week we went to see him in a
small downtown bar, where he may have
had even more to drink that we did.

While here in South Western Ontario, where
the nearest Chuckwagon is a small diner
in Woodstock, which seems to have good
reviews, although with covid-19 regulations,
it’s take out only but again I digress.
Anyhow, the Township canceled the
fireworks display here too, which made
the dogs happy, as they don’t like loud
noises and the community centre is just
across the street, though it’s cool to watch
them from our second story bedroom while
making love but then S was away that
night anyway.


I’m still waiting for my test results, which
I’m pretty sure is just seasonal allergies as
I usually have a bit of a runny nose this time
of year and S is a bit pissed because our son
was going to come over for the weekend.
But is not a biggie because he’s
good for next weekend too.
I just hope that I am.

I hope you’re well too buddy!

 

[Piscator]

I hope you’re well too buddy!

thanks Tod, results were negative which is definitely positive.

stay safe

 

[29wordsforsnow]

The usual Stampede fireworks
...

It's not really a good alternate, but I hope you like the attempt.
A five minute greetings from the Visual Artists Corner.

Stay safe and sound.